Inactivation of differential tumor suppressor genes in gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Introduction: Little is known about the mechanisms contributing to the molecular pathogenesis of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastro-entero-pancreatic system (GEP-NET). We recently demonstrated the role of promoter methylation of certain tumor suppressor genes in GEP-NET. In this study we investigated the differential inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and the functional significance of genes silenced by promoter methylation which are believed to be frequently inactivated in GEP-NET of different origins. Methods: In this study 118 mainly well differentiated fore- and midgut GEP-NET from 71 patients were inve…